JEMAL Johnson today conceded he had needed a rest following his bright start since signing for Wolves - but insisted he is craving a first-team return.

Plucked from Blackburn's reserves by boss Mick McCarthy, Johnson made an instant impression at Molineux by scoring in his first two league games before - despite continually hard-working performances - going through a barren run of eight.

That prompted McCarthy to take the American-born striker out of the firing line, although his latest appearance as a half-time substitute produced a positive impact amid the disappointment of Saturday's defeat at Hull.

Johnson was in line for some more action in this afternoon's friendly with Macclesfield, and is hoping to do enough to return to McCarthy's thoughts ahead of Saturday's Midlands derby at Blues.

"I think I needed a rest because I'm not used to playing as many games as I done when I first arrived," he said.

"Now though I think I've got my sharpness back, I felt good in the friendly game with Coventry and at Hull as well.

"I want to be in the manager's thoughts and have to try and impress in training so I might get an opportunity."

Johnson is also well aware of Wolves' poor away record, with his winner at Burnley back in August one of just three goals plundered on their travels this season.

"Scoring goals is a problem and we've also been conceding away from home," he said.

"It's a long time since we won away but now we move on to a massive game.

"Birmingham are doing very well at the moment but it's an opportunity for us to show what we can do."